The commitment to continue partnering to fight drug trafficking, human smuggling and other illegal activities in VI waters was solidified at the Quarterly Executive Committee Meeting of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) one-day meeting held on September 24 at Treasure Isle.

Officials from the US Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), BVI Custom Officers, USVI Police Department and National Guard all made valuable contributions at the meeting.   

In giving an overview of the highly sensitive closed-door meeting, Comptroller of Customs, Wade Smith told the Standpoint it was quite successful and discussions on mutual areas of concerns were addressed that included gun tracing and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

He also divulged that because of such a collaborative network among the inter-island agencies two cases were solved within the last few months – one regarding a peadophile and another wanted in connection with extortion. 

And in a brief opening ceremony, Premier Ralph T. O’Neal said he was pleased to learn that his country continues to be a part of joint operations, and that “HIDTA works with our Customs department in intelligence sharing and taps into its relationship with the Regional Clearance System.”

“The intelligence database and automated tracking system, RCS, captures and provides information on all small craft that enter the Territory. It is critical for cracking many cases that could otherwise go unsolved and I am pleased that we have had success stories that have led to arrests,” the Territory’s leader lamented.

He disclosed that every Monday, he meets with the Governor, the Deputy Premier, Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police for the National Security Council Meeting and sometimes it surprises him to hear of what happens in “our small territory late at nights on land and sea.”

“The fact that human trafficking is now more of a challenge than drug smuggling for you as law enforcement agencies is an indication of how the dynamics have changed in border control and security.

As criminals become more sophisticated in their operations, it becomes more challenging for you to remain steps ahead. I therefore hope that this meeting will indeed generate new ideas of how you can continue to benefit from existing resources as you combat transnational crime,” the Premier acknowledged.

He made mention of the Government’s reputation of investing in heavily marine assets for customs, police and marine services, and pledged ongoing support to provide the necessary resources to strengthen maritime operations so as to ensure that both the BVI and USVI borders are protected from criminal elements.

“The responsibility to protect our people and our shores from any serious threats falls to our law enforcement agencies. As such, you are often the unsung heroes who do a great and essential service to our Territories, often out of sight of most of the citizens and residents you serve,” he said. 

According to a press release from the Government Information Service (GIS), the HIDTA’s goal is to disrupt the market for illegal drugs by dismantling drug trafficking and money laundering organisations and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its initiatives.

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